A machine for printing on containers and applying labels thereto, includes a printing blanket cylinder having a printing blanket thereon; inking assemblies applying ink to the printing blanket; a cylinder having mandrels for holding containers to be printed; a cylinder driving moving the cylinder to position each mandrel in sequence at a printing position adjacent the printing blanket; a mandrel drive rotating each mandrel positioned adjacent the printing blanket in order to rotate a container thereon against the printing blanket to print thereon, except for a predetermined area; a label applying device applying a label to the predetermined area of the container, substantially simultaneously with printing on the container; and a control arrangement which controls timing of the label applying device, the support member drive and the mandrel drive in a manner to ensure that the label is applied to the predetermined area on each container.